FME to Distribute Home Entertainment Content in Multiple Formats Beginning April 2010

February 23, 2010

LONDON, 23 February 2010: FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and National Geographic Home Entertainment today announced a partnership whereby FME will distribute home entertainment content in the U.K. and Eire for National Geographic.
The deal — brokered by Pete Kalhan, Senior Vice President, Home Entertainment & Archive Sales, FME; Julie Bellonte, Senior Vice President, Home Entertainment, National Geographic Global Media; and Jim Kelleher, Vice President, International Home Entertainment, National Geographic Global Media — sees FME distributing a minimum of 30 new releases a year as well as selections from the entire National Geographic catalogue containing over 600 titles. The partnership will cover DVD, Blu-ray, download-to-own content, and eventually 3D content over the length of the agreement.
The deal includes a number of single- and multi-disc titles from the award-winning National Geographic library, featuring such subjects as adventure and exploration; ancient civilizations; animals and nature; culture and religion; and history and science. “Britain’s Greatest Machines,” “Known Universe,” and “Triumph of Life” will lead the launch.
FME’s Pete Kalhan said, “The National Geographic catalogue is second to none for high-quality factual programming. This, combined with FME’s local expertise, industry contacts and market position as a leading distributor, makes for a great combination, and we’re looking forward to a successful venture.” Julie Bellonte stated, “National Geographic is pleased to be working with FME, an industry leader. Their operation provides a unique blend of knowledge and experience that will enhance National Geographic’s presence in the U.K. and Eire.”ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world’s major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes talkbackTHAMES, UFA and Grundy amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 14,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Neighbours, The Bill, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole In The Wall.

ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
National Geographic Entertainment (NGE) was established in 2007, combining into a single operating group National Geographic’s Cinema Ventures, Feature Films, Kids Entertainment, Home Entertainment and Music & Radio business units. NGE is part of National Geographic Global Media, also formed in 2007, bringing together all of National Geographic’s editorial platforms to streamline collaboration and further support the Society’s mission. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 375 million people worldwide each month through magazines, books, digital media, television, radio, music, film and live events. It funds more than 250 scientific research, exploration and conservation projects each year and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.